New workshops to help landholders tackle feral pests

Thursday, 29 Sep 2016

Queensland agricultural producers will be better equipped to deal with feral pests on their land with the roll out of new pest animal management and chemical training workshops across the state.

AgForce General President Grant Maudsley said AgForce were partnering with the Queensland Farmers Federation, the Australian Government and the Queensland Government to provide the new service to landholders.

"Feral animals cost the Queensland agriculture industry hundreds of millions of dollars each and every year so producers need to know how they can efficiently and successfully control these risks," he said.

"From banana growers in the north to sheep producers in the far west, Queensland primary producers are all battling various pest animals which threaten the viability of their operations if not controlled. This new service will help landholders get ahead of the game and access the most up-to-date tools to manage pest animals."

AgForce Projects Vertebrate Pest Officer Damien Ferguson said eligible producers would qualify for a chemical accreditation card for nationally recognised units of training as well as a certificate of participation for the pest animal management training.

"Over the next 12 months, we will be rolling out 50 one-day, no cost workshops to train landholders in chemical handling safety and the latest pest management techniques, including the use of new baits and tools such as Canid Pest Ejectors with 1080 capsules," he said.

"These tools are already available interstate and industry is working closely with the State Government to ensure these tools are available to Queensland primary producers."

Workshops will be held in early October in:

• Stanthorpe – 11 October;

• Warwick – 12 October;

• Toowoomba – 13 October.

To register your interest in the workshops, head to the AgForce Projects website – www.agforceprojects.org.au

The workshops are being delivered with the support of Australian Government Agriculture White Paper funding administered through the Queensland Government.